The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-09-30
Bee Keeping.

present few observations which | have
made at different times while keeping
and working bees, not having beer
without them for over thirty years. W.
are literally living in land flowing
with milk and honey, and inasmuch as
the production Of each of the,best quail
ity and in the largest quantity depend:
more or less upon the other, it is well
that we study the underlying principles
which tend most surely to advance them
The food question then would seem to
be of first Importance. 1t is pretty gen.
orally admitted that when our pastures
and meadows are we'll covered with a
heavy growth Of clover that they are in
first rate condition regarding general
fertility and milk producing abilities.
| have been experimenting for the last
few years with alsike clover and fnd it
to be the very best of milk and honey
producing food for cows and bees.
The way which bees help to increase its
growth is by more perfectly fertilzlng
its bloom. Alsiks clover is a hybrid or
cross between the small white clover
and the pea-vine clover. 1t grows tall
like the pea.vine, but unlike it, grows a
suall, fine stalk, curing when cut for hay
in onehalf the time and sun required
to dry the coarser clover. Its blossoms
are the same size as white clover with
white color except the outer edge which
is pink presenting most beautiful! ap-
pearance. Having small blossom its
entire sweets are easily reached by the
bees and SO attract large numbers of
them, thus causing its bloom to be most
thoroughly fertilized by the dust of
other bloom. Along in June, about the
time that this occurs in this latitude, it
may be observed that the clover head
and entire stalk will begin to grow and
swell rapidly, and will soon load with
seed and in good soil will yield immense
crops Of hay or seed. The seed being
very fine, requires about two quarts
with one quart of the other seed, and
eight or ten of timothy and red top seed
mixed, per acre. The alsike and red top
delight in damp, rich soil. II bees are
so abundant as to thoroughly fertilize
the clover bloom while in this blossom
opening stage, it would be largely for
the interest of the dairyman to SOW
light coating of plaster over his meadow
and pastures some time in May, if his
SOL is Of a clayey or retentive nature.
But if the soil is of sandy composition
or it bees are not abundant to fertilize
the bloom, perhaps the plaster would
do less good. 1t is also for the interest
OF both beekeeper and dairyman to SOW
and raise large fields Of buck wheat and
buy less meal feed for stock.
A good yield Of grain as we'll as straw
is almost certain where the honey bees
are sufficiently numerous to thoroughly
iertilize the bloom, il the soil has been
made sufficiently strong to produce the
grain. We often hear men say the sun
has blasted their buekwheat, whereas
the fact is the soil or care was too weak
to produce more than a weak growth OF
straw aud was exhaused at the very
time when the grain began to form, or
honey bees were too few to fertiize the
bloom. A buckwheat crop may be
made to pay simply for the flour, and
the coarser part or Iran, which is ex.
cellent milk producing food, be obtain.
ed without cost. Buckwheat straw
rightly cured and cared for with little
grain fed whole without grinding is
very good winter food for young stock.
Buckwheat is also the best Of egg pro-
dueing food for fowls, and chicks will
eat and do well on it while very young.
No bloom will pay to raise merely for
honey, the price being too low.
Having briefly noticed the buekwheat
and clover forage question, which is as
valuable to the dairyman as to the bee.
keeper, | will proceed to notice some
thing:of the bees, aud here launch out
upon subject that, followed out into It's
various branches, is very large.
Bees and honey have been a subject
ofmueh interest and study to the human
family from the earliest period all along
down to the time that a swarm and
honey found in the trunk Of dead lion
gave Samson so fine a subject from
which to PROFOUND riddle. IL is also
known that Egyptians we'll understood
bee culture, for We read Of their loading
vessels with honey travelling the Nile
until they sank to the waters edge.
Then later on We read the experiments
oil German noblemen which is very val.
liable to the breeder Of thoroughbred
bees Of the different races.
The greatest advance ever made 10
bee culture aud honey production, how.
ever, of which We have any de6aite ae-
count was reserved for our own times
and nation. Mr.. Quimby Of the Nc
hawk valley, this State, aud Mr. Lang.
stroth, inventing the movable or framed
comb.hive; aud the invention Of the
honey extractor, the comb foundation